During April, National Alcohol Awareness Month, Recovery Centers of America (RCA) in St. Charles and in South Elgin seek to raise awareness that one of the country’s biggest health issue and third-leading preventable cause of death is alcoholism, known as alcohol use disorder.
“Alcohol is ubiquitous in our society, so we often forget how dangerous it can be to our health,” said Dr. Stephen Holtsford, RCA medical director at both the inpatient St. Charles and outpatient South Elgin treatment facilities.
As a former ER (emergency room) physician, Dr. Holtsford has witnessed the ravages of alcohol on individuals and their families.
“Long term alcohol use poses health effects including liver disease, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis, blood cell problems and cognitive decline, he said.”
The effects of alcohol abuse can begin almost immediately and have long-lasting impacts if left untreated.It is responsible for more than 95,000 deaths each year in the United States, as reported by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
“Alcohol continues to be the most prevalent substance of misuse and addiction. We see patients across the lifespan, from teenagers to retirees suffering significant health effects and life disruption stemming from problematic alcohol use,” said Karen Wolownik Albert, CEO of RCA in both St. Charles and South Elgin. “We hope that Alcohol Awareness Month will be an opportunity to bring greater attention to the need for education, support and treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder.”
Setting a new standard for addiction treatment in the Chicagoland area, RCA in St. Charles opened in September 2020. Covering 125 acres and less than 50 miles outside downtown Chicago, patients receive convenient treatment close to home where family members can be involved in the treatment process, increasing the likelihood of maintaining recovery. The challenge of recovery can be daunting, and RCA sets patients up for success through inpatient and outpatient treatment supported by community-based resources and followed by social, educational, and cultural events through a robust alumni network after treatment.
To help patients suffering from a substance use disorder find facilities that deliver quality treatment and care, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) recognizes Recovery Centers of America in S. Charles as one of the first facilities to receive the Blue Distinction® Center for Substance Use Treatment and Recovery (BDC Substance Use Treatment and Recovery) designation, a new designation under the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.
The RCA Outpatient Center at South Elgin, just ten minutes from RCA’s St. Charles inpatient treatment center, is accessible to substance use disorder patients seeking general outpatient treatment as well as intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization care. Programs include group and individual counseling, family therapy, recovery seminars, and RCA Alumni Association support and wellness activities. A digital connection program for outpatient as well as inpatient alumni and others in recovery is incorporated into the treatment program using a new software app called ShoutoutTM to further support the treatment experience and the recovery journey afterwards. Family Services will be available through the digital health platform including services focusing on siblings and children impacted by addiction.
An in-network provider for most insurance plans, RCA provides affordable, accessible and evidence-based treatment and clinical expertise to deliver quality care tailored to individual patients’ needs in the Chicagoland area, as well as telehealth treatment services.
—Recovery Centers of America